A/N: I told you not to hate me!

Disclaimer: Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super, and Dragonball GT are all owned by FUNimation, Toei Animation, Fuji TV, and Akira Toriyama. Please support the official release!

Chapter 11: ...Always Corrects Itself

Trunks burst from the Capsule Corps lawn, strapping his sword on at the same time. This couldn't be happening. Just this morning 17 was sitting at the table laughing with them! What could have caused such a drastic change in such a short period of time? His blue eyes narrowed as he poured more speed out. He didn't want to admit it, but deep down he knew: this was his fault. He had been selfish and asked Porunga to fix the time line. It was pure arrogance to think he would be the only affected. The androids were a large part of the time line, it practically hinged on them. His wish had caused this. He would fix it, but he might have to kill 17 again. He closed his eyes and grit his teeth. No more. He wouldn't try and change things again. This was his present, now. He would fight to protect it, and the people who resided there—regardless of who they were.

"...you're right..." 18 took a stop back from 17. "There are evil humans out there, but there are good too. Gero made us what we are, but Bulma has been working tirelessly to try and reverse it. She's a good person, and I'm sure there are others. Killing them all isn't the answer!"

17 sighed and shook his head. "You're just saying that cause you like Trunks, I get it. I guess the only way to change your mind is to kill him too."

"17, that's insane." 18 shouted at her brother. She still held her bags of clothes, and set them down. "This...this isn't you. My brother wouldn't do this!"

"This is me, 18! They took everything from us! Well I want it back, or I want retribution! Killing every single human, taking their futures like they stole ours...it's pay back!"

18 shrunk back. "17...please, don't do this!"

"It's too late, 18. If you aren't with me in this, that's fine: but don't get in my way!" 17 looked to Trunks. "I don't know how you were able to work whatever magic you did to turn my sister away from me, but it'll end when I kill you. She'll thank me in the end." He gave a cocky smirk. "So, you ready for round two?"

18 grit her teeth. Trunks said he was able to kill 17 in a single blow. He didn't stand a chance, and the murderous look that Trunks had proved that this would end just the same.

"There's no such thing as magic," Trunks called. 18 looked to him, wide eyed. Trunks didn't spare her a glance, but she saw that his lips had twisted into a smirk. "But I can promise you, 17, you don't want to do this."

"Oh, think you'll get lucky like you did with Cell? Fat chance."

18 stood in a daze for a moment. This...this wasn't coincidence. Trunks was saying the exact same things he use to, that her Trunks use to. But he was a lot more confident in the face of a fight—and he was strong. That meant this wasn't the same Trunks but that something had happened to change him. Now wasn't the time to analyze this, though. "17...if you're going to fight Trunks, you'll have to fight me too!"

"No."

18 looked to Trunks, shocked that he had said this.

"Don't worry about me, 18, I can handle your brother—we both know that." He tossed her a device that she caught. "Once you evacuate everyone from the area, use that to find the Dragon Balls. We can use them to fix this heap of mess." He finally looked to her and smiled fully. "I won't die again, promise."

Holding the Dragon Radar in both hands she eyed him suspiciously, eyes narrowed and brows furrowed as she took a step towards him. "...Trunks...?"

Shifting slightly, the purple haired warrior rubbed the back of his head as he looked to the smoking holes in the mall. "This was a nice place, too. They had a great deal on necklaces." He turned back to her and she stood froze. He could see tears forming in her eyes and he allowed his smile to fall to a small one as he gave her a sympathetic look. "What's with that face? Get outta here."

18 rushed him and wrapped her arms around him, causing Trunks to let out an 'oof'. "Hey, knock that off!"

"Shut up! I'll kill you before he does!" She buried her head in his chest and Trunks sighed before he patted her head gently. "Stop that." Her retort was quick, but suspected. Finally she released him. "How...?"

"I'll explain later—you have to go now. If the cops show up, 17 might try to kill them too. I'm...I'm sorry, but I may have to..."

18 nodded, reaching up and wiping her tears on her sleeve. "He isn't my brother...he's like the androids you told me about." Her look became serious, and Trunks noted the deadly glint in her eyes. "No brother of mine is a murderer. Do what you must." With that she blasted off. Trunks sighed and looked to 17, who was busy making fake puking sounds.

"Are you done? I was gagging over here."

Trunks grinned. "17, I don't know what you think about me..but it's not true." The grin faded. "Because I'm about to show you how powerless you really are, just like the people you've murdered."

"Oh no. No no no no." King Kai stood on his planet, antennae twitching viciously as he watched what was unfolding on Earth. Goku, who had been sparring Vegeta looked towards the Kai.

"What's wrong, King Kai?"

Vegeta let out a growl as Kakarot seemed to drop the fight instantly. He was use to this. The idiot always let his mind wander, but they did have eternity. The fight could be resumed. "Spit it out."

"Trunks is about to fight 17." King Kai looked up.

"So? Trunks beat him before right? Don't worry!" Goku placed his hands on his hips and gave a smile. "He'll be fine!"

"Yes, but that was before 17 trained here. He was able to get stronger, just like he anyone would. He may have been an android, with limitless energy, but he is still human to an extent—enough to gain considerable power."

Vegeta let out a small 'hmph.' "The runt will be fine."

Goku nodded. "I agree. Trunks was holding back a lot of power when he fought 17."

King Kai bowed his head. That may be so...

17 held his hands out at his side. "You sure talk big, kid. How about you put up or shut up?"

"Last chance, 17. Stand down."

17 rolled his eyes. "Not just weak, but a coward too. Fine." He hunched down. "I'll make it quick." Bursting forward, 17 planted his fist square into Trunks's jaw, sending him hurtling into rubble that had been formed when 17 blasted the mall.

Trunks hadn't had time to process 17's movements—he was simply too fast. He was cocky because he had easily beat a defenseless 17 before. Still, the blow didn't hurt that much and the fight was far from over. His blood thundered through his veins, already enjoying the thrill of a decent fight. Perhaps it was all the time he spent with his father in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, but Trunks felt his Saiyan spirit soaring. Pushing himself out of the rubble, Trunks stood. He was unharmed, saved the small bruise on his cheek. Not even his clothes had been ripped. 17 still stood on the sidewalk, shrugging at the sight of the swordsman.

"Well, you can take a punch, I'll give you that...but this is gonna be a waste of time. You're pathetic."

Trunks looked at the android. All of the people he had killed, in this time line and the other...he wanted to believe 17 could be a good person, he had seen it! But now wasn't the time to take it easy. He had to stop him. 17 watched as heat seemed to radiate from Trunks, causing his long bangs to float in the flow of the rising waves. Without warning Trunks exploded in a golden light, turning the debris he stood on to dust under the compression of his transformation. The twine that held his hair back held fast, though his bangs and the rest of his hair raised into his Super Saiyan form. 17 raised a brow as the golden aura burned around Trunks.

"...so, what? Instant hair dye?"

Trunks said nothing as he exploded forth, reaching 17 in far lass than a second. He slammed his knee into the android, causing 17 to nearly fold in two. Trunks brought both hands down clubbing him into the concrete that was only feet below. As soon as the android struck it, 17 grabbed him by the leg and swung him around, slamming him back onto the ground behind him before punting the android away. Trunks had moved with enough speed that the rest of the rubble of the mall only just crumbled from the force of his launch after he had already sent 17 airborne.

17 managed to right himself, throwing his hands out and releasing a compression of ki to stop himself. Eyes wide and teeth grit, he looked down at Trunks as the now golden haired fighter looked up at him with a lazy glare. The hell was this? In the Other World he could barely throw a punch, and now he just completely overwhelmed him in a few blows! 17 calmed his nerves. "I see you were holding back. Fine than. Kiddy gloves are off." He sped down at Trunks, fist drawn back. He narrowly managed to roll to the right. Trunks had drawn his sword and pointed it at the android with blinding speed, attempting to have the android simply impale himself. Hitting the ground in a crouch, 17 whipped his legs around to trip Trunks. Trunks leaped up, but 17 suspected this and placed both hands forward, releasing a wave of energy onto the airborne Trunks. Exploding on contact, which was less than a foot away, both fighters were shrouded in smoke.

Trunks knew he was at a disadvantage in the smoke as he couldn't sense 17. He wasn't sure if 17 could sense him either, but likely couldn't—if he could he'd know he was far out classed in this fight. Trunks brought his sword around quickly and with enough force to release a shock wave of compressed air that blew the smoke away, and sent 17 hurtling back. He had been hiding in the smoke, attempting to get the drop on Trunks. Trunks burst up after 17, reaching him with his sword and beginning to slash at him.

17 had managed to regain control of himself and began dodging the slices. He had to get that sword away from Trunks—he had far better reach than 17 did. He didn't have to get close to deal damage. His dodges were barely coming in time and Trunks was speeding up his slices, cutting thin trails in 17s clothing. The slices stopped suddenly and 17 dodged preemptively, though he blinked as Trunks stayed still. It wasn't until half a second later that he saw it: a palm folded under Trunks's sword arm, pointed directly at him.

"Shi—"

A golden wave of energy fire from the hand and consumed 17 entirely. Trunks hadn't put enough energy into it to destroy 17, but enough at 17 was sent hurtling back farther into the air. Trunks appeared above him, performing a front flip before both feet were planted onto 17's head, and sent him careening into the street with enough force to cause the pavement and lots on both side to buckle in a crater. Trunks remained in the air, twirling his sword once before sheathing it as he looked down at 17.

17 pushed himself to a kneeling position, panting. Half of his over shirt had been completely blown off, and his white undershirt torn. His jeans too had seen better days. Still, this was stupid. This kid shouldn't have this much power. It was like he wasn't even trying and he was besting 17. He was toying with him! Making him look like a joke! He glared up at Trunks as Trunks gave a half lidded glare back at him.

"Give it up, 17. I'm not enjoying this any more than you are."

"Shut up..." 17 pushed to his feet. "Talking like you already won this fight...you're trash. Human, filth. You were holding back...so what? I have been too."

Trunks narrowed his eyes.

"I learned a lot while training in Other World...I've gotten much stronger...you're nothing...nothing."

"Trunks! This is King Kai! Listen to me! Do NOT let him—"

17 balled his fists, the crater beneath him buckling further as unseen energy shook the ground. 17 wore a smirk as he turned his murderous eyes up at Trunks, who had raised a brow at the android. "Kaioken."

A/N: Before you throw the bullshit flag at me, read up on Kaioken. We have seen that the androids do have power levels, despite a limitless energy supply, because they could be beaten with enough training and raising of your own power level. That being said, the Kaioken taxes the person's energy and tires out their body to increase the fighting power. Androids not only have limitless energy supply, but also they don't tire, meaning they could technically learn how to do it. At least, that as my reasoning.